Howl!

January 2018          

PICKAWAY TO GARDEN

Howl

By Paul J. Hang

 

The full moon in January was called the Wolf Moon by Native Americans. The earliest Americans were probably referring to the hungry wolves that prowled and howled around their villages. At this time of year the family dogs just might join their ancient ancestors in this vocal ritual. I just might join them.

 

This month the Wolf Moon is January first. I won’t be joining them because of the activities of the night before but to register my admiration and awe. There will be another full moon on the 31^st which, by some definitions, makes it a Blue Moon. Both January moons will also be Super Moons because they are so close to the earth and will appear larger than usual. They will also be cold icy moons. I may also howl to state my wish that the moon’s partner the sun would hurry out of its southern home.

 

I may howl because of the biting fangs of cold that the winter winds howl back at us. Howl because at this time of year the moon seemingly contributes about as much warmth as the sun. Howl at the realization that the shortest day has passed and these are the longest nights. Perhaps the wolves howl to drive the moon away and bring back the sun. Perhaps they are howling at the inequality of it all. Shouldn’t the sun and the moon have equal time? Perhaps we should join them. It can’t hurt.

 

The Great Wheel of our solar system keeps on turning.  And so, our thoughts turn to the future. Gardening has ceased now for a couple months and about now the urge to get back to the soil grows stronger. (Funny how appealing are the things that are out of reach.) We can get ready for renewed life come the warming. Call them resolutions if you must. The sun will eventually gain on the moon and we can all go out and howl our appreciation.

 

Things to do in the garden:

 

The list of things to do in the garden has gotten shorter. Things we can do about gardening can fill your idle hours, if you have any, are: Review last year's garden; draw a map while you can still remember what grew where.

 

Plan your gardens and plantings. One of my favorite guides for this is The Ohio Gardening Guide by Jerry Minnich. Check your supply of old seeds. Are they expired? Do you want to reorder that variety? Read your new seed catalogs and begin to plan next year's garden. It's not nearly as much work. Order seeds and plants of new varieties that you want now. They usually sell out quickly. Need some more catalogs? Go to gardeningplaces.com.

 

Believe it or not, by the end of the month, you can begin to grow members of the Allium family (Onions, Leeks, Garlic and Shallots) from seed indoors. You can get ready by getting your seed starting supplies together. Make sure you provide plenty of light.

 

Cut back on watering your houseplants and don’t fertilize until March or April when growth begins as the amount of light lengthens. When your poinsettias are looking ragged throw them on the compost heap. The same goes for paper whites. In my opinion it is not worth trying to get them to bloom again for the next holidays. If you like a challenge go ahead, but be prepared for disappointment. Amaryllis and Christmas cactus are exceptions and can be kept for re-blooming. Check the internet for instructions.

 

Establish a new bed by placing black plastic or several layers of newspaper, cardboard or even old carpet down over the area you’ve chosen for the new bed. Weight it down so the wind doesn’t disturb it. By late spring the vegetation under it should be dead and the space ready for planting.

 

Learn to sharpen your tools, trowels, pruners, spades and if you are really adventurous, your mower blades. Oil them and use linseed oil on the wooden handles. It's always a good idea to consult the experts. Go on line and google it.

 

Getting rid of a live Christmas tree? Don’t. Use it to serve as a wind break for evergreens, cut the branches off and use them as mulch for perennials, put them near your bird feeders as cover, decorate them with suet, fruit, seed cakes, as a bird feeder. Chip them eventually for mulch. The needles can also be mulch and will not make the soil too acidic. If you had a balled live tree plant it ASAP.

 

Blue birds often begin nesting activities in February. Clean out your boxes, or put up one, to make ready. Everything you ever wanted to know about bluebirds and successfully attracting them is available at sialis.org

 

January can be a time for planning, thinking about the year ahead. Don’t forget to check with OSU Extension websites such as ohioline.osu.edu when researching your ideas for the coming growing season. Study all those seed catalogs. Fantasize what your garden will look like.

 

Start some of your plants from seed. Winter sowing is a method using plastic containers such as old milk bottles that is simple and you can do it anytime over the next couple months. Put “winter sowing” into your search engine (google it) and you can learn all about it. It is an inexpensive way to get lots of plants.